Photos of dogs with their heads tilted collect millions of likes on social media.
But behind this charming gesture lies a complex neurobiological chain.
Dr. Alexandra Horowitz of Barnard College conducted an experiment: dogs were given commands in an unfamiliar language.
Those who tilted their heads more often remembered new words better.
"Tilting improves sound perception, especially in breeds with long ears," she writes in From a Dog's Point of View.
The journal Current Biology added: the angle of inclination helps them more accurately pinpoint the source of the noise.
But there is also an emotional component. Trainer Dmitry Baranov says:
"Dogs quickly learn that people find their head tilt cute and use it to get attention."
The owner of corgi Archie from Moscow confirms:
“You just say, ‘Want to go for a walk?’ and he bows his head – it’s impossible to resist!”
It is interesting that not all breeds are equally “inclined”.
According to an American Kennel Club survey, border collies, golden retrievers and dachshunds are the dogs that most often bow their heads.
But bulldogs and pugs do this less often, perhaps due to the peculiarities of the structure of their skull.
What to do if your dog never tilts its head? Veterinarian Anna Lebedeva reassures:
"This is not a sign of a problem. Some dogs 'think' with their ears or tail."
But if the movement has become sharp and frequent, check the ears: perhaps your pet is bothered by an infection.
Author: Valeria Kisternaya
